The Winds of Life by Margaret Fleming (Rita MacLeod)

Dew-dipped the rosebud rests
   In calm of night,
Till swayed with fragrant winds
   And bathed with light.

The dew of dawn dissolves
   With noon's hot rays;
Alone, beloved of winds,
   The flower sways.

Till fading fast, wind-tossed,
   Strewn leaves in flight,
She crumples up to dust,
   And sleeps in night.  

So souls in nothingness,
   Disturbed with life,
Awake to conscious thought,  
   Unbidden strife.

Remain a while with Time,
   Arrayed in bloom;
Then fade away to naught,
   Uncared, wind-strewn.

First published in The Brisbane Courier, 30 December 1914

Author: Rita MacLeod (1891-??) was born in Invercargill, New Zealand and arrived in Australia in 1902.  She worked for a time as a journalist in Brisbane and it is believed she died in England.

Author reference site: Austlit